For most of us who grew up when the revolver ruled the world, and the goose hung high in Springfield Massachusetts, the N-Frame Smith & Wesson revolver is a legendary piece. Offered in a variety of calibers from .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .41 Magnum, .44 Special, .44 Magnum, .45 Auto Rim, .455 Webley, and .45 Colt, the big Smiths enjoyed a reputation for reliability and accuracy.
From the original Hand Ejector to the modern Classic, these are powerful and reliable outdoorsman revolvers. They are also effective for home defense use. Among the best modern renditions of the big frame revolver is the Smith & Wesson Model 25-5 in the Classic line.
S&W Classic Model 25
This is a big, burly handgun that balances well in the hand and points well in fast shooting. The .45 Colt cartridge may not have gotten the attention the .44 Magnum has, but it is a fine general purpose cartridge. As an aside, Dirty Harry’s revolver was actually a .45 caliber revolver so the muzzle and chambers would appear even more impressive in the cinema.
The N-Frame revolver was out of production for several years. Smith & Wesson revived many of these revolvers in the classic line. The Classic line, including the Model 27 .357 Magnum and .45 Colt revolver reviewed here, are modern versions of the company’s legendary handguns.
The 6.5-inch barrel handgun illustrated is chambered for a cartridge introduced in 1873. While slightly predated by the .44 Russian and .44 Smith & Wesson American, the .45 Colt is among the oldest cartridges still in use in the world.
The Smith & Wesson N-Frame revolvers are large, relatively heavy revolvers, and are intended for hard use. The size is necessary due to the large caliber chambering.
This revolver features an attractive, bright-blue finish. The hammer and trigger are color case hardened. A nicely figured set of walnut grips offers good hand fit. The checkered surface allows a good firing grip.
The revolver illustrated features a swing-out cylinder for easy loading and unloading and a double-action trigger. The hammer may be cocked for deliberate single-action fire. The ejector rod easily ejects spent .45 Colt cartridge cases.
The Model 25-5 features fully adjustable rear sights and a tall, ramped front sight. It is simple enough to adjust the rear sight for windage and elevation. These sights allow a high degree of precision.
The single-action trigger is crisp, offering a clean break. The double-action trigger is smoother than most modern double-action revolvers. It isn’t difficult to keep six shots in the X-ring, firing double action (at least to 10 yards). These revolvers offer modest recoil compared to some of the lightweight revolvers chambered for powerful cartridges.
Why .45 Colt
This isn’t a concealed carry handgun by any means. However, it offers real potency for hunting and outdoors work. The .45 Colt is a good hunting load for medium-sized game. If you handload, the .45 Colt may be loaded a bit hotter than for use in Single Action Army-type revolvers, but not as hot as the Ruger Blackhawk standard in the big Smith & Wesson. Be careful and do your research when loading anything stronger than cowboy action standard.
Why choose the .45 Colt over the .44 Magnum? It is good to have both! The .45 Colt has much merit. When introduced, the .45 Colt was largely the result of the demands of Colonel Stephen Benet of Army Ordnance. Benet had a clear vision of the needs of western troopers.
The new service cartridge would offer unprecedented power. The original loading used a conical lead bullet of 230 to 255 grains over 30–40 grains of black powder. The standard loads that built the .45 Colt’s reputation, broke 875 fps in a 7.5-inch barrel. Even the lightest original loading I have tested (230-grain bullet at 832 fps), would prove an effective anti-personnel loading.
Since U.S. Marshals in general had access to military stores on the federal level, most used Army issue .45 Colt ammunition. There is a trivial story repeated in the popular press every few years regarding the .45 Colt versus .45 Long Colt and the correct name for the cartridge. I will not bore you to tears with this story. I am certain we all know what the .45 Colt cartridge is. The shorter cartridge, common in the Old West, was the .45 Schofield. It is still loaded by Black Hills ammunition.
Range Results
I began firing the big Smith with a number of handloads. Acme Bullet Company’s coated 250-grain bullet at 820 fps is a favorite. I also had some older Leadhead cast bullets loaded in Remington brass at 790 fps. Most combinations would put five shots into two inches at 25 yards. Firing double action and in speed shooting, it isn’t difficult to keep shots in the K-zone well past 15 yards.
Moving up the scale, I fired a cylinder each of two powerful Buffalo Bore loads. The 225-grain cast hollow point and 255-grain hard cast Keith type semi wadcutter are each clocking along at well over 1,000 fps. These loads get the .45 Colt off its knees and into serious defensive territory. Big hogs and deer will fall to such loads.
On the second range session, I fired a couple of cowboy action loads. The Fiocchi cowboy load at 750 fps uses a special coated bullet that leads but little and offers good accuracy. The Fiocchi load was accurate enough for any contest with a 25-yard group of 1.6 inches.
The Smith & Wesson Classic Model 25 offers real accuracy with excellent fit and finish. This revolver is a good effort at reviving the great guns of the past and offers real utility for many tasks.
When it comes to BFRs (Big Frame Revolvers), the Smith and Wesson Model 25-5 is certainly among the best. Make a case for your favorite BFR in the Comment section.
A bold front post sights offers a good sight picture. 
That’s a fast double-action group. 
The author found the double-action trigger controllable. 
The Model 25 features an action lock located above the cylinder release. A nice smooth blue finish and adjustable sights are deluxe features. 
The hammer spur is nicely checkered. 
Accuracy results were good to very good. 
The revolver features a long, but thin, barrel. Buffalo Bore loads tightened accuracy up. 
The Model 25 is a dirt tough and reliable firearm. The N-Frame is Smith & Wesson’s original big frame revolver. Fiocchi hard cast loads are accuracy and clean burning. 
A good set of adjustable sights is an advantage. 
This is a nicely executed handgun. 
Offhand accuracy is good.
I have a Dan Wesson in .45 LC that i picked up used in 1995…
A dream to shoot and superbly accurate! My favorite revolver…
In 1873 a major concern was that the handgun/cartridge being used would to be able to stop a horse. If the 1911 – 230 grain FMJ at 830 fps combo is considered a great self-defense match, think how a 45LC 250 grain RNFP at 875 fps will be so much more effective. Big slugs = big holes. A bonus is at SAAMI non +P pressure levels, 45 LC brass should last almost forever.
I had a 25-5 that was custom by Jovino Arms. 2.5 barrel with a 38 grip frame. I use to carry it while doing body guard details in my younger days.
Who doesn’t like reading about guns? Got nothing better to do right now because it’s ten degrees outside and a foot of global warming on the ground… My first intro to S&W N frame revolvers was forty-six years ago. I was serving as a police officer and was issued an aging Model 28 Highway Patrolman. It was built like a tank, solid, and reliable. Later I switched to a Colt Python; we were allowed to carry our own approved service weapon. That Colt was primo! But I missed that ole Model 28. Eventually I took another department position as a Deputy Sheriff. There I was issued a S&W Model 66, a smaller weapon, accurate, but it didn’t settle in the hand like the Python or the Model 28.
I ended my law enforcement career on a positive note taking less stressful employment. That’s when I bought my first S&W N frame, a brand new Model 657-8 6″. Such quality, wonderful trigger, and great balance. Now I’m hooked. Looking for the Holy Grail, the S&W Model 625. In 1990 I located a coin dealer out of New York State claiming to hold one like new. Sight unseen negotiated a high but reasonable price transferred to local deal and man I’m holding a S&W Model 625-6 Mountain Gun barely fired. So smooth, balanced bettering my Model 657. Soon a S&W L frame Model 696 3″ followed and then an old friend, a used but not abused Model 28 came my way, just as I remembered.
Since then some hand guns left me and many more came my way. Colts, S&W J frames, Rugers, and numerous autos, but I’ve always been a revolver man. Too many westerns I guess. To this day my favorite revolvers are a new Colt Python and that S&W Model 625 Mountain Gun. Long live the N frame S&W!
About your aside. I have never heard that Dirty Harry’s 44 mag was anything but a model 29 44 magnum. Where did you get that from and do you have any documentation in support of that claim?
I have a reproduction Model 57 with a 6.5″ barrel and it’s a thing of beauty except for the Hillary hole but it’s a head turner at the range for sure.
Way off subject- but final word
During the making of the movie the prop master, in order to make the revolver more imposing, used an 8 3/8 barrel .45 to heighten the effect. Why use a .41 and diminish the big bore effect?
The revolver actually carried in the shoulder holster was a 6.5 inch barrel version
Picked up my S&W 25 years ago from a friend who was looking for something more modern. It is one of the nicest shooting pistols I have ever owned. I Like my Glock and CZ-75 but that big S&W remains the favorite. Like me it is pretty much in retirement but stays close by in case of uninvited visitors.
Picked up my S&W 25 years ago from a friend who was looking for something more modern. It is one of the nicest shooting pistols I have ever owned. I Like my Glock and CZ-75 but that big S&W remains the favorite. Like me it is pretty much in retirement but stays close by in case of uninvited visitors.
I love the N frames. I have a model 57 4”. It was my oldest brother’s service arm from the early 70’s. It’s my carry gun when the weather is very cold. I would love to see Smith & Wesson reintroduce a model 57.
I love the N frames. I have a model 57 4”. It was my oldest brother’s service arm from the early 70’s. It’s my carry gun when the weather is very cold. I would love to see Smith & Wesson reintroduce a model 57.
Gents,
I beg to inform you that I have a VHS version of the movie.
When I froze frame at the close-up scene of the gun used at the sand-pit pond, the barrel was CLEARLY marked as being a 41 Mag.
When I did the same at the same scene with the DVD version, the barrel was NOT marked; besides being slightly off-colored and fuzzy.
For all we know, they might have used both a 41 and a 45; the 44mag version was indeed hard to come by.
@Bob, your “as an aside” is incorrect. The gun used in the Dirty Harry movies was in fact a M29 and was displayed as part of the 2002 exhibit “Real Guns of Reel Heroes” at the National Firearms Museum. See https://www.nramuseum.org/guns/the-galleries/modern-firearms-1950-to-present/case-53-arms-of-law-enforcement/dirty-harry's-smith-wesson-44-magnum.aspx
There is a video there telling a little bit more about the gun used in the movie, by the screenwriter of the movie. He was given the gun by Warner Bros after the Magnum Force movie.
I had also heard that they could not get a M29 for the movies so they used a Smith M57 in .41 Mag. I posted that once and was promptly informed of my misinformation.
It’s funny, but I own samples of every S&W N-frame revolver in the calibers you listed except for the 45 Colt. It wasn’t for lack of opportunity, but because their 45 cylinder is considered too thin to safely handle heavy loads. I’m not knocking these pistols. They are gorgeous and have a well-earned reputation as fine target shooters, but I’m not a match competitor. If I want a handgun for hunting or backup work, there are more powerful calibers available in the same package,
I learned to shoot a handgun when I was 14. My Dad, who was a police officer taught me how to shoot with his service revolver, a Smith & Wesson model 19. Since then I have had other handguns, both revolvers and semi auto’s from.22 to .44 caliber (revolvers all S&W) and have fired any number of others but keep coming back to the M19. I actually prefer revolvers to semi autos simply because they are more reliable and compared to all but the best Match grade semi autos (I have a Gold Cup but beyond 25 yards it is not as accurate as my M19.) I still shoot a lot and yes still have a M19 and it is my favorite followed by the Gold Cup. My across the course firearms are a S&W 41, M19, and Gold Cup. People look at me like I am crazy shooting a wheel gun for the center fire stage until they see the targets, especially at 50 yards. When hunting in bear country (only black bears locally) I always carry the M19 loaded with Buffalo Bore 158 gr hard cast bullets as backup. It will shoot through six inches of solid pine, so to my way of thinking a black bears skull should be childs play. Might have to re-evaluate those thoughts if I ever wander into Griz country.
My favorite BFR is a Ruger Super Redhawk in .454 casull. It’s a six shooter as a posed to 5, and can fire .45 colt rounds in a pinch. With a 7.5 barrel and Leupold 4x scope it’ll hold 2” groups at 100 yards. Great hunting gun, but way too big for EDC… unless you spend a lot of time in Griz country.
That is one of the most beautiful handguns ever made. Wish I had one.